Urology

Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University I. Basic Overview, Qualifications and Honors The Department of Urology of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University is a key clinical specialty in Xiamen, serving Xiamen and southwestern Fujian and enjoying broad regional influence. The department currently has 23 specialized physicians. The hospital has two wards, with 100 open beds, making it the largest urology department in the region in terms of ward size. The department receives more than 50,000 outpatient visits and over 4,000 inpatients annually, and is a key department for performing Da Vinci robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery. The department is a postgraduate training institution of Xiamen University and Fujian Medical University, and has multiple national- and municipal-level professional qualifications and platforms: National Base for Standardized Residency Training; National Specialty for Clinical Trials of Drugs and Medical Devices; Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Health Management Base under the Ministry of Health’s Healthcare Quality Improvement Initiative; Construction Center for Full-Course Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association; Renal Colic Center of the Chinese Medical Rescue Association; founding chair institution of the Urological and Male Reproductive System Oncology Committee of the Xiamen Anti-Cancer Association; and lead institution of the Pan-Xiamen Urological Oncology Learning Alliance, among others. In 1996, the department established a professional urology group and equipped itself with minimally invasive surgical devices such as transurethral resectoscopes, subsequently carrying out various types of transurethral minimally invasive surgery. In January 2000, the department was independently established, with 30 open beds, and routinely performed all urological diagnosis and treatment procedures meeting the standards of a tertiary Grade A hospital. The first department director was Professor Bai Peiming, and Professor Luo Guangcheng took over as department director in 2021. Since its establishment, the department’s technology has continued to develop and its service capacity has continued to expand. In 2002, it took the lead in performing laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery; in 2003, it completed Xiamen’s first living-donor kidney transplantation; and in 2005, it took the lead in performing urodynamic examinations and minimally invasive surgery for stress urinary incontinence. To meet clinical needs, inpatient capacity was expanded to 50 beds in 2007. In 2012, it was recognized as a key specialty under Xiamen’s prostate disease development plan; in 2018, it was recognized as a medically advantaged subspecialty for prostate diseases in Xiamen. In June 2021, the Da Vinci Xi robot was introduced, bringing the department’s laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery to the same level as international advanced standards. As the department’s services developed and to meet the demands of the era for clinical specialization and precision, subspecialty management was fully implemented in 2023. All subspecialties advanced in parallel, also driving the department’s comprehensive development. In April 2025, one additional ward was opened, bringing the number of open beds to 100. In August of the same year, the department was recognized as a key clinical specialty in Xiamen. II. Core Diagnostic and Treatment Scope The department is equipped with a complete range of advanced specialized diagnostic and treatment equipment, including high-definition laparoscopes, transurethral plasma resectoscopes, ureteroscopes, high-power laser treatment systems, surgical lithotripsy systems, extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripters, urodynamic instruments, and andrology workstations. Laparoscopic and endoscopic minimally invasive surgery is its professional specialty and ongoing development direction. Various procedures primarily use minimally invasive and precise techniques, including transurethral natural orifice approaches, laparoscopic approaches, percutaneous nephroscopy, and microscopy, fully integrating the advantages of advanced modern medical technology to provide patients with precise diagnosis and treatment. 1. Urological tumors: comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of retroperitoneal tumors, adrenal diseases, renal tumors, renal pelvis and ureteral tumors, bladder tumors, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and penile cancer; 2. Urological obstruction and calculi: diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract calculi, hydronephrosis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and urinary tract obstruction; 3. Malformations, injuries, and infections of the urological and male reproductive systems: diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract injuries; urological and male reproductive system malformations such as phimosis, cryptorchidism, hydrocele, and congenital hydronephrosis; and infections of the urological and male reproductive systems such as pyonephrosis; 4. Functional urology and andrology: diagnosis and treatment of voiding dysfunction, chyluria, varicocele, male sexual dysfunction, male infertility, and other diseases. III. Featured Subspecialties and Core Technical Strengths Since 2023, the department has implemented a strict subspecialty management model and established industry-leading subspecialty groups. Each professional group specializes in its own field while working together, enabling patients to receive more standardized care at a higher technical level. The subspecialty groups are as follows: (I) Urological Oncology Group This group focuses on standardized comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of urological and male reproductive system tumors, including retroperitoneal tumors, adrenal diseases, renal tumors, renal pelvis and ureteral tumors, bladder tumors, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and penile cancer. It performs minimally invasive procedures such as Da Vinci robotic surgery and laparoscopic surgery, and develops individualized plans for patients in combination with standardized oncology diagnosis and treatment pathways. (II) Urological Calculi and Upper Urinary Tract Obstruction Group This group provides diagnosis and treatment for urinary tract calculi, hydronephrosis, upper urinary tract obstruction, and other diseases. Relying on high-power laser treatment systems, surgical lithotripsy systems, extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripters, ureteroscopes, percutaneous nephroscopes, and other equipment, it performs various minimally invasive lithotripsy and stone extraction procedures and obstruction-relieving surgeries. (III) Prostate Diseases and Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction Group This group focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of prostate-related diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract obstruction. Relying on transurethral plasma resectoscopes, high-power lasers, urinary tract stents, and other equipment, it performs minimally invasive procedures through natural orifices to provide patients with minimally invasive solutions for relieving obstruction. (IV) Urinary Continence and Female and Pediatric Urology Group This group provides diagnosis and treatment for voiding dysfunctions such as dysuria and urinary incontinence, malformations of the urological and male reproductive systems, urinary tract injuries, and infections of the urological and male reproductive systems. It covers standardized diagnosis and treatment of female and pediatric urological diseases and relies on equipment such as urodynamic instruments to provide precise assessment and treatment for patients with voiding dysfunction. (V) Andrology Group This group provides diagnosis and treatment for andrological diseases such as chyluria, varicocele, male sexual dysfunction, and male infertility. Relying on andrology workstations, microscopes, and other equipment, it performs precise andrological surgery and provides standardized diagnosis and treatment. All subspecialty groups advance in parallel, driving the department’s comprehensive development. Diagnosis and treatment of prostate diseases is a traditional strength of the department. It has been recognized as a Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Health Management Base under the Ministry of Health’s Healthcare Quality Improvement Initiative and as a medically advantaged subspecialty in Xiamen, among other honors. In urinary continence and female and pediatric urology, the department took the lead in performing urodynamic examinations and minimally invasive surgery for stress urinary incontinence in 2005. With the subspecialty of ‘Urological Calculi and Upper Urinary Tract Obstruction’ as its mainstay, the department was recognized in 2024 as a ‘Renal Colic Center’ by the Acute Medical Pain Branch of the Chinese Medical Rescue Association, establishing a one-stop diagnosis and treatment system. The Andrology Group is the institution of the first chairperson of the Andrology Branch of the Xiamen Medical Association. In 2026, Chief Physician Liu Ziming, the current leader of the andrology specialty, was elected chairperson of the Andrology Branch of the Xiamen Physicians Association. Urological oncology is one of the department’s major development directions. In April 2026, Director Luo Guangcheng led the establishment of the Urological and Male Reproductive System Oncology Committee of the Xiamen Anti-Cancer Association. In September 2026, he led the establishment of the ‘Pan-Xiamen Urological Oncology Learning Alliance’. Prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and renal cancer are common malignant tumors. The urological oncology specialty has developed scientific and standardized diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up procedures to promote regional collaboration and technological development. IV. Multidisciplinary MDT Comprehensive Diagnosis and Treatment and Full-Course Management The department provides multidisciplinary MDT comprehensive diagnosis and treatment services and full-course management for patients with complex conditions. For malignant tumors, it has established MDT teams comprising relevant experts from medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, nuclear medicine, and other specialties. Personalized MDT diagnosis and treatment strategies are developed according to each patient’s specific condition, with efforts made to achieve satisfactory diagnostic and treatment outcomes. The department actively provides one-stop services, including emergency extracorporeal lithotripsy and day surgery. It has established two-way referral services with medical alliances and community health centers, and organizes study and training courses, free clinics, and assistance programs for primary-level institutions, such as the ‘Study Course on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Urological Emergencies’. For the public, it organizes the ‘Xiamen Yuandang Urological Oncology Patient Education Meeting’; health consultation and free clinic activities are conducted on ‘Cancer Prevention and Treatment Day’, ‘Men’s Health Day’, ‘Stone Prevention and Treatment Day’, ‘Women’s Day’, ‘Children’s Day’, and other occasions. Since 2019, the department has operated the public science communication account ‘Xiamen Urology Time’, quietly working with perseverance toward the goal of ‘Healthy China’. V. Talent Team and Expert Strength The department currently has nearly 60 medical and nursing staff members, including 23 physicians, of whom 9 are chief physicians, and 16 hold doctoral or master’s degrees. They are divided into seven medical groups, forming a clinical diagnosis and treatment team covering all subspecialty directions. One person has been recognized as a local leading talent in Xiamen, one as a high-level talent in Xiamen, and one as an outstanding trainee in Xiamen. Many staff members hold academic positions in national, provincial, and municipal medical professional societies and associations. The department places great importance on the development of its talent pipeline, continuously strengthening and improving its subspecialty teams and establishing a clinical mentorship and skills-transfer system. The department routinely conducts morning meetings, case discussion meetings, and literature study and reporting meetings, which both ensure patient safety and promote continuous learning by physicians and the rapid development of young doctors. The department team collaborates smoothly. According to each patient’s disease, the patient is referred to the appropriate subspecialty team for diagnosis and treatment, ensuring more professional medical services. For patients with difficult and complicated diseases, major surgical needs, or multiple comorbidities, the department has established a multidisciplinary comprehensive diagnosis and treatment mechanism to improve the comprehensiveness, professionalism, and advanced nature of diagnosis and treatment. VI. Coordinated Development of Medical Care, Education, and Research (I) Medical Services The department routinely diagnoses and treats all types of diseases of the urological and male reproductive systems. It serves more than 50,000 outpatients and over 4,000 inpatients annually, with diagnostic and treatment services covering Xiamen and southwestern Fujian. It implements subspecialty development and adheres to minimally invasive and precise technology as its core. Various procedures primarily use minimally invasive and precise techniques, including transurethral natural orifice approaches, laparoscopic approaches, percutaneous nephroscopy, and microscopy. The department is also a key department for performing Da Vinci robotic surgery. (II) Education and Training The department is a postgraduate training institution of Xiamen University and Fujian Medical University, as well as a National Base for Standardized Residency Training. It undertakes postgraduate training in urology and standardized residency training. The department currently has 4 master’s supervisors, 1 postdoctoral co-supervisor, and more than 10 postgraduate students enrolled. The department attaches great importance to teaching. Director Luo Guangcheng also serves as director of the Department of Surgery Teaching and Research and director of the Surgical Standardized Residency Training Base. He regularly organizes teaching ward rounds, case discussions, short lectures, and skills training, and provides effective instruction for clerks, interns, standardized residency trainees, visiting physicians, and postgraduate students, cultivating highly qualified future physicians. The department actively hosts academic exchanges and continues to develop a series of continuing medical education programs, such as the ‘Study Course on Robotic and Artificial Intelligence Technologies for Urological Diagnosis and Treatment’, the ‘Yuandang Urology Exchange Conference’, and the ‘Study Course on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Urological Emergencies’, receiving high praise from colleagues. (III) Scientific Research and Innovation The department is a National Specialty for Clinical Trials of Drugs and Medical Devices and is qualified to conduct clinical trials of drugs and medical devices related to urology. It has currently conducted 5 trial projects. The department encourages clinical and basic research. Over the past 5 years, it has undertaken more than 10 national, provincial, and municipal scientific research projects, including a major research project under the Xiamen Science and Technology Program for High-Quality Development of Health; research funding exceeded 1 million yuan. It has published more than 30 clinical and basic research papers, including 22 SCI papers; obtained more than 10 invention patents; and achieved 1 patent commercialization. VII. Summary of the Department’s Core Advantages 1. **Outstanding level of qualification platforms**: The department has two national-level qualifications—the National Base for Standardized Residency Training and the National Specialty for Clinical Trials of Drugs and Medical Devices. It is the Renal Colic Center of the Chinese Medical Rescue Association, the Construction Center for Full-Course Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, a key clinical specialty in Xiamen, and the chair institution of the Urological and Male Reproductive System Oncology Committee of the Xiamen Anti-Cancer Association. It has also received support from a major research project under the Xiamen Science and Technology Program for High-Quality Development of Health and has a strong development platform. 2. **Region-leading ward size**: The inpatient department has two wards and 100 open beds, making it the largest urology department in the region in terms of ward size. Its annual diagnostic and treatment volume is sufficient to meet the demand for advanced urological diagnosis and treatment among patients in southwestern Fujian. 3. **Distinctive minimally invasive technology**: The department is equipped with advanced specialized equipment covering all diagnostic and treatment scenarios. Its core development direction is laparoscopic and endoscopic minimally invasive surgery. It took the lead in performing Da Vinci robotic surgery, aligning with the modern surgical development direction of minimally invasive, precise, and intelligent care. 4. **Industry-leading subspecialty structure**: Subspecialty groups covering the entire field of urology have been established. Each group has clearly defined responsibilities and smooth collaboration, enabling the department to provide specialized and standardized diagnosis and treatment for patients with all types of urological and male reproductive system diseases. 5. **Comprehensive diagnostic and treatment scope**: Services cover all categories of urological and male reproductive system diseases, including tumors, calculi, obstruction, malformations, infections, functional urology, and andrology, enabling the department to provide patients with one-stop urological diagnosis and treatment solutions. 6. **Outstanding regional collaboration**: The department leads the ‘Pan-Xiamen Urological Oncology Learning Alliance’, continuously absorbing new knowledge and technologies, strengthening communication and cooperation, and promoting the standardization and specialization of urological oncology diagnosis and treatment in regional hospitals. VIII. Department Vision The department will continue to uphold the spirit of ‘Great physicians with sincerity, collaboration, and progress’, continuously improve its diagnostic and treatment capabilities, and provide the public with higher-quality, standardized, and advanced urological diagnosis and treatment services. It will continuously improve the full-cycle patient management system, strengthen perioperative management, improve quality control of diagnosis and treatment, and ensure patient safety. It will further strengthen talent development and innovation in scientific research and technology to promote disciplinary development. Relying on the advantages of national- and municipal-level platforms, it will strengthen learning, communication, and collaboration, drive improvement in the overall level of urological diagnosis and treatment in the region, and strive to become a renowned high-performing department affiliated with a national key university.